In U.S. counties where more picloram pesticide is used, there is a higher rate of colorectal cancer diagnosed in people under 50, even when accounting for income, education, and exposure to other pesticides.

46

Pro

0

Against

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

46

Community contributions welcome

46

Epigenetic fingerprints link early-onset colon and rectal cancer to pesticide exposure

Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis

Human

2026 May

Scientists found that areas where farmers used more of a specific herbicide called picloram had more young people getting colon cancer, even after accounting for income, education, and other chemicals. This suggests picloram might be contributing to early cancer cases.

Contradicting (0)

0

Community contributions welcome

No contradicting evidence found

Gold Standard Evidence Needed

According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Source Study

Epigenetic fingerprints link early-onset colon and rectal cancer to pesticide exposure

Score: 46

DOI: 10.1038/s41591-026-04342-5

Similar Assertions

Higher use of the herbicide picloram in a geographic area is linked to higher rates of early-onset colorectal cancer, based on molecular changes in tumor tissue and population data adjusted for other factors.

39

0

86%

People exposed to the herbicide picloram have a higher statistical likelihood of developing colorectal cancer before age 50 compared to those who develop it after age 70, based on patterns of DNA methylation observed in patient samples.

41

0

82%

People diagnosed with colorectal cancer before age 50 show different DNA methylation patterns linked to picloram herbicide exposure compared to those diagnosed at age 70 or older, suggesting a possible environmental association with earlier disease onset.

46

0

78%

People exposed to picloram may develop colorectal cancer at a younger age, and this link is not simply because they are younger; it is tied to a specific biological pattern in the tumors called the SBS1 mutational signature.

46

0

71%